Multi-position keyboard and display station

ABSTRACT

A multi-position keyboard and display station is disclosed. The station can include an overhead mounting mechanism, a display mounting mechanism, and a keyboard mounting mechanism. The overhead mounting mechanism fixes the station overhead, and can include a vertical beam. The display mounting mechanism is receptive to a display, is connected to the overhead mounting mechanism, and is horizontally and vertically rotatable. The display mounting mechanism can include a plate on which the display is fixably mounted, and a right-angled bracket connecting the plate to the vertical beam. The keyboard mounting mechanism is receptive to a keyboard, is connected to the display mounting mechanism, and is adjustable up and down and to and from relative to the display mounting mechanism. The keyboard mounting mechanism can include a plate on which the keyboard is mounted, and an extendable plate that connects this plate to the plate of the display mounting mechanism.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates generally to stations for keyboards and displays of computers, and more particularly to such stations that provide for multiple positions of the keyboards and the displays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Computers were originally very large, requiring complete rooms to house them. In the last twenty to thirty years, however, they have significantly shrunk in size. A typical microcomputer now only needs a flat surface for placement. The display and keyboard, for instance, is usually placed on the flat surface, such as a desktop, and the main cabinet of the computer can be placed underneath the flat surface. Laptop and notebook computers are even smaller, and require less room for usage.

[0003] However, most computers are still designed for a somewhat optimal environment. A desktop computer, for instance, more or less assumes that the flat surface on which the keyboard and display are placed will not be subject to movement that may cause them to move or fall. Even portable computers, like laptop and notebook computers, seemingly assume that they will not be subjected to jarring movements when these computers are being operated.

[0004] The utility and increasing necessity of computers in unorthodox environments, however, finds them being used in less-optimal environments. As one example, on seagoing vessels like ships, computers are subjected to the same motions that the water subjects the ship. Keyboards and displays of such computers that are not fixed may become damaged as they move to and fro with the waves, for example. For this and other reasons, there is a need for the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention relates to a multi-position keyboard and display station. In one embodiment, the station includes an overhead mounting mechanism, a display mounting mechanism, and a keyboard mounting mechanism. The overhead mounting mechanism fixes the station overhead. The display mounting mechanism is receptive to a display, is connected to the overhead mounting mechanism, and is horizontally and vertically rotatable. The keyboard mounting mechanism is receptive to a keyboard, is connected to the display mounting mechanism, and is adjustable up and down and to and from relative to the display mounting mechanism.

[0006] In a more specific embodiment, the overhead mounting mechanism includes a vertical beam to fix the station overhead. The display mounting mechanism in this embodiment includes a plate on which the display is fixably mounted, and a right-angled bracket connecting the plate to the vertical beam. The bracket is connected to the vertical beam at a first joint that provides for vertical rotation of the plate. The bracket is connected to the plate at a second joint that provides for horizontal rotation of the plate. The keyboard mounting mechanism includes a plate and an extendable arm. The keyboard is mounted on the plate. The extendable arm connects the plate of the keyboard mounting mechanism to the plate of the display mounting mechanism. The extendable arm has a number of rotatable joints providing for adjustment of the plate of the keyboard mounting mechanism up and down and to and from relative to the plate of the display mounting mechanism.

[0007] Embodiments of the invention provide for advantages over the prior art. The multi-position station allows for the keyboard and the display of a computer to be secured in a high-motion space, such as the inside of a ship or other vessel. The station does not take up desk space, and is quite compact, which is advantageous where space is at a premium. Further, the multi-position nature of the station allows for the display and the keyboard to be situated for a number of different users, to allow users of different sizes to still use the keyboard and view the display comfortably. Still other advantages, aspects, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent by reading the detailed description that follows, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The drawings referenced herein form a part of the specification. Features shown in the drawing are meant as illustrative of only some embodiments of the invention, and not of all embodiments of the invention, unless otherwise explicitly indicated, and implications to the contrary are otherwise not to be made.

[0009]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a perspective view of the backside of a multi-position keyboard and display station, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a perspective view of the front-side of a multi-position keyboard and display station, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a diagram of a side view of a multi-position keyboard and display station, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a diagram of a front view of a multi-position keyboard and display station, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a diagram of a top view of a multi-position keyboard and display station, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized, and logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

[0015] FIGS. 1-5 show various views of a multi-position keyboard and display station 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Whereas the backside perspective view of the station 100 in FIG. 1 shows all features of the station 100, the other views of the station 100, in FIGS. 2-5, do not show all the features of the station 100. Therefore, whereas the station 100 is described herein without any reference to particular of FIGS. 1-5, it is to be understood that the features described are all depicted in FIG. 1, and may also be depicted on one or more of FIGS. 2-5.

[0016] An overhead mounting mechanism of the station 100 that fixes the station 100 overhead, such as to a ceiling, includes the vertical beam, or bar, 102, and the plate 104. The vertical beam 102 thus has the plate 104 at an end thereof for fixing the station 100 overhead. The overhead mounting mechanism can be considered the means for fixing the station 100 overhead in one embodiment of the invention.

[0017] A display mounting mechanism of the station 100 is receptive to a display 110, such as a computer monitor, is connected to the overhead mounting mechanism, and is rotatable both horizontally and vertically. The display mounting mechanism includes the plate 106 on which the display 110 is preferably fixably mounted. The display mounting mechanism can thus include in one embodiment one or more brackets, such as the bracket 112, to mount the display 110 to the plate 106. A series of counterweights 108 can be included in one embodiment to offset the weight of the display 110. The display mounting mechanism can be considered the means for horizontal and vertical rotation of the display 110 in one embodiment of the invention, connected to the means for fixing the station 100 overhead.

[0018] The display mounting mechanism thus includes a right-angled bracket 114 that connects the plate 106 to the narrow part of the vertical beam 102. One joint, indicated by the pin 116, connects the bracket 114 to the vertical beam 102, whereas another joint, indicated by the pin 118, connects the bracket 114 to the plate 106. Loosening the pin 116 allows the plate 106, and thus the display 110, to be rotated vertically to a desired position, at which point the pin 116 is again tightened. Similarly, loosening the pin 118 allows the plate 106, and thus the display 110, to be rotated horizontally to a desired position, at which point the pin 118 is again tightened. Preferably, both joints are rotatably through 45 degrees: the joint signified by the pin 116 rotatable vertically through 45 degrees, and the joint signified by the pin 118 rotatable horizontally through 45 degrees.

[0019] A keyboard mounting mechanism of the station 100 is receptive to a keyboard 130, which can include a pointing device like a trackball as indicated in at least some of FIGS. 1-5. The keyboard mounting mechanism is connected to the display mounting mechanism, and is adjustable up and down and to and from relative to the display mounting mechanism. The keyboard mounting mechanism includes an extendable arm 120. The arm 120 includes rotatable joints 122, 124, and 126. The rotatable joint 122 specifically connects the arm 120 to the plate 106 of the display mounting mechanism, whereas the rotatable joint 126 specifically connects the arm 120 to a plate 128 of the keyboard mounting mechanism on which the keyboard 130 can loosely or fixably be mounted or otherwise rest, where the term mounted is used in an all-encompassing and general sense in this regard. For instance, the plate 106 may include a lip against which the keyboard 130 may rest. Finally, the rotatable joint 124 connects the two segments of the arm 120. Preferably, the pins 116 and 118, and the joints 122, 124, and 126, each lock in place, and further meet the requirements of MIL-S-901D, as can be appreciated by those skilled within the art.

[0020] Thus, the rotatable joints 122, 124, and 126 allow for realization of the adjustability of the keyboard mounting mechanism to move up and down and to and from relative to the display mounting mechanism. The joints 122 and 124 preferably can be rotated through 180 degrees, whereas the joint 126 preferably can rotate through 150 degrees. As such, desirably the keyboard mounting mechanism is such that the keyboard 130 can be extended up to substantially thirty inches away from the display mounting mechanism, and specifically the end of the plate 106 on which the display 110 is fixably mounted. The keyboard mounting mechanism can be considered the means for horizontal and vertical rotation of the keyboard 130 in one embodiment of the invention, connected to the means for horizontal and vertical rotation of the display 110.

[0021] Operation of the multi-position keyboard and display station 100 is as follows. The display 110 can be adjusted by loosening the pin 116 and the pin 118, to vertically rotate and horizontally rotate, respectively, the display 110 so that the user can comfortably view the display 110, after which the pins 116 and 118 are again tightened. The arm 120 can then be moved—effectuating rotation of the joints 122, 124, and/or 126 to ensure that the keyboard 130 is at a comfortable distance from the display 110, and is at a comfortable height, for the user. Thus, the user is able to maneuver the display 110 and the keyboard 130 such that computer usage is comfortable for him or her.

[0022] It is noted that, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof. 

We claim:
 1. A multi-position keyboard and display station comprising: an overhead mounting mechanism to fix the station overhead; a display mounting mechanism receptive to a display, connected to the overhead mounting mechanism, and rotatable horizontally and vertically; and, a keyboard mounting mechanism receptive to a keyboard, connected to the display mounting mechanism, and adjustable up and down and to and from relative to the display mounting mechanism.
 2. The station of claim 1, wherein the overhead mounting mechanism comprises a vertical beam having a plate at an end thereof for fixing the station overhead.
 3. The station of claim 1, wherein the display mounting mechanism comprises a plate on which the display is fixably mounted.
 4. The station of claim 1, wherein the display mounting mechanism comprises a first joint to provide for horizontal rotation thereof and a second joint to provide for vertical rotation thereof.
 5. The station of claim 1, wherein the display mounting mechanism is substantially rotatable horizontally through 45 degrees, and is substantially rotatable vertically through 45 degrees.
 6. The station of claim 1, wherein the keyboard mounting mechanism comprises a plate with a lower lip, the keyboard placed on the plate and resting against the lower lip.
 7. The station of claim 1, wherein the keyboard mounting mechanism comprises a plurality of arm joints to realize adjustability up and down and to and from relative to the display mounting mechanism.
 8. The station of claim 7, wherein two of the plurality of arm joints are substantially rotatable through 180 degrees.
 9. The station of claim 7, wherein one of the plurality of arm joints is substantially rotatable through 150 degrees.
 10. The station of claim 1, wherein the keyboard mounting mechanism provides for extension of the keyboard up to substantially thirty inches from the display mounting mechanism.
 11. A multi-position keyboard and display station comprising: a vertical beam to fix the station overhead; a first plate on which a display is fixably mounted; a right-angled bracket connecting the plate to the vertical beam, the bracket connected to the vertical beam at a first joint providing for vertical rotation of the first plate and connected to the first plate at a second joint provide for horizontal rotation of the first plate; a second plate on which a keyboard is mounted; and, an extendable arm connecting the second plate to the first plate, the extendable arm having a plurality of rotatable joints providing for adjustment of the second plate up and down and to and from relative to the second plate.
 12. The station of claim 11, further comprising a third plate at an end of the vertical beam to fix the station overhead.
 13. The station of claim 11, wherein the first joint of the right-angled bracket is substantially rotatable horizontally through 45 degrees, and the second joint of the right-angled bracket is substantially rotatable vertically through 45 degrees.
 14. The station of claim 11, wherein two of the plurality of rotatable joints of the extendable arm are substantially rotatable through 180 degrees.
 15. The station of claim 11, wherein one of the plurality of rotatable joints of the extendable arm is substantially rotatable through 180 degrees.
 16. A multi-position keyboard and display station comprising: means for fixing the station overhead; means for horizontal and vertical rotation of a display, connected to the means for fixing the station overhead; and, means for horizontal and vertical rotation of a keyboard, connected to the means for horizontal and vertical rotation of the display.
 17. The station of claim 16, wherein the means for fixing the display station overhead comprises a vertical beam having a plate at an end thereof for fixing the station overhead.
 18. The station of claim 16, wherein the means for horizontal and vertical rotation of the display comprises: a plate on which the display is fixably mounted; a first joint to provide for horizontal rotation of the display; and, a second joint to provide for vertical rotation of the display.
 19. The station of claim 16, wherein the means for horizontal and vertical rotation of the keyboard comprises: a plate with a lower lip, the keyboard placed on the plate and resting against the lower lip; and, a plurality of arm joints to realize adjustability up and down and to and from relative to the means for horizontal and vertical rotation of the display.
 20. The station of claim 19, wherein two of the plurality of arm joints are substantially rotatable through 180 degrees and one of the plurality of arm joints is substantially rotatable through 150 degrees. 